Plug “downtown Maize” into Google and the search engine returns a map of the entire town.
There’s a reason for that: Maize doesn’t have a downtown. Other than being known for excellent schools, the suburb doesn’t have much of an identity either.
But city leaders want to change that.
On Tuesday night, they’re holding an open house to begin gathering input on what residents want to feature in the new Academy Arts District, which will run along Park and Academy avenues. “This is something we are incredibly excited about,” said Jolene Graham, an executive assistant in the city’s administration. “It really gives the people of Maize the opportunity to realize the spirit of their home, to bring it to life …”
Because Maize doesn’t have a traditional downtown any more, Graham and others say, creating the arts district is particularly important in forging an identity for the longtime bedroom community.
“The people will say, ‘This is who we are,’” Graham said. “It’s a self-discovery process.”
(Read more: Local News |)